Low-rolling-resistance, low-energy-consumption, high-integration and light-weight front axle

Abstract

A low-rolling-resistance low-energy-consumption high-integration light-weight front axle comprises a front axle and a knuckle assembly, knuckle pins which are vertically located on the same straight line are fixed to the two ends of the front axle respectively, the upper portion and the lower portion of the knuckle assembly are arranged on the knuckle pins in a sleeving mode respectively, and hub bearing units are fixedly arranged at the outer ends of the knuckle pins in a sleeving mode; tapered roller bearings which are symmetrical inside and outside are arranged in the hub bearing unit, the inner tapered roller bearing and the outer tapered roller bearing in the hub bearing unit are separated through an annular structure on the inner side wall of a peripheral structure of the hub bearing unit, and a brake disc and a hub flange are fixed to the outer end of the peripheral structure of the hub bearing unit through bolts; a brake caliper assembly used for clamping a brake disc is arranged on the top of the steering knuckle assembly. The maintenance-free hub unit is designed to replace an original common asymmetric single-row tapered roller bearing, overall stress is more uniform, high durability and high reliability of the whole vehicle are achieved, vehicle maintenance and fault repair time is shortened, and the maintenance and use cost of a user is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a front axle, in particular to a front axle with low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, high integration and light weight. Background Technique

[0002] In the current transportation industry structure, micro, light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles together account for 77.3%. Automobile lightweighting is an effective means to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction. According to the analysis of research institutions, for every 1000 kg reduction in vehicle weight, the fuel consumption can be reduced by 0.6 - 1.0 liters per 100 km. If the vehicle weight is reduced by 10%, the fuel consumption can be reduced by 6% - 8%, and the emissions can be reduced by 4%. A lightweight truck is of great significance to the fuel economy, vehicle control stability and collision safety of the whole vehicle. The whole vehicle has high load-bearing capacity and high durability, greatly improving the carrying capacity and the whole life cycle, and helping users to achieve more benefits. However, the current commercial vehicles have relatively high rolling resistance, which will cause certain energy consumption, and the integrated lightweighting still needs to be improved. Content of the Utility Model

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a front axle with low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, high integration and light weight.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is: a front axle with low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, high integration and light weight, including a front axle and a steering knuckle assembly. Steering knuckle pins located on the same straight line up and down are respectively fixed at both ends of the front axle. The upper and lower parts of the steering knuckle assembly are respectively sleeved on the steering knuckle pins, and needle roller bearings are respectively arranged between the outer periphery of each steering knuckle pin and the steering knuckle assembly. The outer end of the steering knuckle pin is sleeved with and fixed with a hub bearing unit. Inner and outer symmetric tapered roller bearings are arranged inside the hub bearing unit, and the inner and outer tapered roller bearings inside are separated by an annular structure on the inner side wall of the outer periphery structure of the hub bearing unit. A brake disc and a hub flange are fixed to the outer end of the outer periphery structure of the hub bearing unit by bolts. A brake caliper assembly for clamping the brake disc is arranged at the top of the steering knuckle assembly.

[0005] Further, a locking nut is screwed at the outer end of the steering knuckle pin. The locking nut contacts the outer side surface of the outer tapered roller bearing, and a hub cap covering the locking nut is fixed at the center of the hub flange.

[0006] Further, the outer side surface of the inner tapered roller bearing is covered with a bearing oil seal, and the inner ring of the bearing oil seal is in close contact with the steering knuckle assembly, and the outer ring is in close contact with the outer periphery structure of the hub bearing unit.

[0007] Further, transverse tie rod arms are respectively arranged at the bottoms of the left and right steering knuckle assemblies, and the left and right transverse tie rod arms are rotatably connected by a transverse tie rod.

[0008] Furthermore, an air chamber assembly is also provided on one side of the brake caliper assembly, and the brake caliper assembly is controlled by the air chamber assembly to drive the brake caliper to clamp.

[0009] With the above settings, the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0010] 1. The lightweight ratio reaches 10%.

[0011] Using finite element analysis software, lightweight optimization is carried out on the front axle, hub flange, and brake caliper. The brake disc and hub flange are fixed by bolts at the outer end of the peripheral structure of the hub bearing unit, achieving an overall weight reduction of 35 kg, with a ratio of 10%, and the weight reduction effect is relatively obvious.

[0012] 2. High-durability and maintenance-free wheel ends.

[0013] A maintenance-free hub unit is designed to replace the original ordinary asymmetric single-row tapered roller bearing, that is, the hub bearing unit is provided with symmetric inner and outer tapered roller bearings, and the inner and outer tapered roller bearings inside are separated by a ring structure on the inner side wall of the peripheral structure of the hub bearing unit. The overall force is more uniform, reaching the first maintenance mileage of 3 years / 500,000 km, achieving high durability and high reliability of the whole vehicle, reducing the vehicle maintenance and fault repair time, and reducing the user's maintenance and use costs.

[0014] 3. The frictional torque is reduced by 53%.

[0015] High-precision grade bearings are adopted, and the raceway profile, number of rollers, profile, low-friction seal grease sealing structure, viscosity of heavy-duty special high-efficiency grease, and bearing preload design are optimized. Through a series of optimizations, the friction is reduced. Under the actual operating load and speed conditions of the vehicle, compared with the traditional scheme, the frictional torque is reduced by about 53%.

[0016] 4. The front axle achieves a large turning angle of 50°.

[0017] A newly developed knuckle is used to change the installation position of the brake caliper, so that the brake caliper is changed from the original oblique installation in front of the vehicle to a top-mounted installation, effectively avoiding the interference position between the air chamber and the steering mechanism, achieving a large turning angle, reducing the turning radius of the whole vehicle, and improving the passability of the whole vehicle.

[0018] 5. Long maintenance of the knuckle pin.

[0019] Compared with the traditional front axle that uses the sliding friction fit type of the knuckle pin and the bushing, the new front axle adopts an integral structure of a needle roller bearing and a damping bearing, changing the sliding friction to rolling friction, reducing the rolling resistance, greatly reducing the wear of the knuckle pin, extending the maintenance cycle of the knuckle pin, and improving the driving controllability at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present utility model will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is the front view structural schematic diagram of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 is the side view structural schematic diagram of the brake assembly part of the present utility model. Specific embodiments

[0023] As Figure 1-2 shown, a front axle with low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, high integration and light weight includes a front axle 1 and a steering knuckle assembly 2. At both ends of the front axle 1, steering knuckle pins 3 located on the same straight line up and down are respectively fixed. The upper and lower parts of the steering knuckle assembly 2 are respectively sleeved on the steering knuckle pins 3, and needle roller bearings 4 are respectively arranged between the outer peripheries of the steering knuckle pins 3 and the steering knuckle assembly 2. The outer ends of the steering knuckle pins 3 are sleeved with and fixed with hub bearing units. Inner and outer symmetric tapered roller bearings 5 are arranged inside the hub bearing units, and the inner and outer tapered roller bearings 5 inside are separated by an annular structure 7 on the inner side wall of the outer structure 6 of the hub bearing unit. A brake disc 8 and a hub flange 9 are fixed to the outer end of the outer structure 6 of the hub bearing unit by bolts. A brake caliper assembly 10 for clamping the brake disc 8 is arranged at the top of the steering knuckle assembly 2.

[0024] A locking nut 11 is screwed at the outer end of the steering knuckle pin 3. The locking nut 11 contacts the outer side surface of the outer tapered roller bearing 5. A hub cap 12 covering the locking nut 11 is fixed at the center of the hub flange 9. The outer side surface of the inner tapered roller bearing 5 is covered with a bearing oil seal 13, and the inner ring of the bearing oil seal 13 is in close contact with the steering knuckle assembly 2, and the outer ring is in close contact with the outer structure 6 of the hub bearing unit.

[0025] Transverse tie rod arms are respectively arranged at the bottoms of the left and right steering knuckle assemblies 2. The left and right transverse tie rod arms are rotatably connected by a transverse tie rod 14. An air chamber assembly 15 is also arranged on one side of the brake caliper assembly 10. The brake caliper assembly 10 is controlled by the air chamber assembly 15 to drive the brake caliper to clamp.

[0026] Working principle of the present utility model:

[0027] It is the same as the current front axle drive, steering and braking methods. For example: the brake caliper assembly of this front axle is directly installed on the steering knuckle. When driving and steering, the pitman arm of the steering gear transmits the force to the steering drag link assembly. The steering drag link assembly drives the steering knuckle to rotate through the drag link arm. According to the assembly relationship, the front hub and the brake disc also rotate with the steering knuckle, thereby driving the tire to turn. During the driving and rotation of the wheel, the bearing unit lubricates the hub bearing through the special grease inside.

[0028] When braking during driving, the air chamber assembly on the brake caliper assembly intakes air, and pushes the friction pads to press against the brake disc, and generates a frictional torque. This torque is transmitted to the wheel through the front hub and the hub bolts and nuts, so that the whole vehicle generates a deceleration. The greater the braking force, the greater the vehicle deceleration.

[0029] The above are only illustrative specific embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present utility model shall fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, highly integrated and lightweight front axle, comprising a front axle (1) and a steering knuckle assembly (2), wherein the two ends of the front axle (1) are respectively fixed with steering knuckle pins (3) located on the same straight line from top to bottom, and characterized in that: The upper and lower parts of the steering knuckle assembly (2) are respectively sleeved on the steering knuckle pin (3), and needle bearings (4) are respectively arranged between the outer periphery of each steering knuckle pin (3) and the steering knuckle assembly (2). The outer end of the steering knuckle pin (3) is sleeved and fixed with a wheel hub bearing unit. The wheel hub bearing unit is provided with inner and outer symmetrical tapered roller bearings (5), and the inner and outer tapered roller bearings (5) are separated by an annular structure (7) on the inner side wall of the wheel hub bearing unit outer structure (6). The outer end of the wheel hub bearing unit outer structure (6) is fixed with a brake disc (8) and a wheel hub flange (9) by bolts. The top of the steering knuckle assembly (2) is provided with a brake caliper assembly (10) for clamping the brake disc (8).

2. A low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, highly integrated and lightweight front axle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A locking nut (11) is screwed onto the outer end of the knuckle pin (3), the locking nut (11) contacts the outer side surface of the outer tapered roller bearing (5), and a hub cover (12) covering the locking nut (11) is fixed to the center of the hub flange (9).

3. A low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, highly integrated and lightweight front axle as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The outer side surface of the inner tapered roller bearing (5) is covered with a bearing oil seal (13), and the inner ring of the bearing oil seal (13) is in close contact with the steering knuckle assembly (2), and the outer ring is in close contact with the peripheral structure (6) of the wheel hub bearing unit.

4. A low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, highly integrated and lightweight front axle as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: A tie rod arm is respectively arranged at the bottom of the left and right steering knuckle assemblies (2), and the left and right tie rod arms are rotatably connected via a tie rod (14).

5. The low rolling resistance, low energy consumption, highly integrated and lightweight front axle according to claim 1, characterized in that: A chamber assembly (15) is also provided on one side of the brake caliper assembly (10), and the brake caliper assembly (10) is controlled by the air chamber assembly (15) to drive the brake caliper to clamp.

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